John Boatman is the owner of Fine Timed Collectables,
located at 85877 North Bank Lane near Bandon, just 5 miles off Hwy. 101
on the north bank of the Coquille River. If you're looking to get your
antique watch or clock repaired, he's the man to take it to. He's also
the only person on the south coast of Oregon who is professionally
trained to change watch batteries. "I used to train people from
department stores to change batteries, but the stores don't send them
to me anymore. A lot of watches are broken by clerks trying to
change batteries who don't know what they're doing," said John.

John Boatman stands by some of his vintage autos in front of his warehouse at Fine Timed Antiques and Collectables.

John is a mechanical engineer by trade, born in rural Oregon. As a
small child, every time his family would take a trip to Portland or
Eugene, he'd get dropped off at the junk store and spend any money he
had on broken clocks and watches. That began his interest in anything
mechanical and at 12 he built his first car engine and drove to school
in the 8th grade. He still has a big shop with a bunch of old hot rods
and cars.

But back to the watch-making business, where John is one of the only
horologists (watchmakers) in the country. He repairs and makes parts
for antique watches and clocks, and "I've got one in here right now
from the 1500’s that's worth from $150,000 to $200,000," he said. "I'm
making parts for a clock that was probably made for a king or somebody
very important a long time ago. We get clocks and watches from all over
the world. I just bought a big collection of musical watches from
Hawaii dating from the 1700’s. They're repeater watches: pocket watches
where you push a button and it rings a certain amount of times so you
can tell what time it is, even in the dark. Electricity wasn't around
in those days," said John.

John is a member of a dying breed of watchmakers in this
country. "I would like to teach somebody watch and clock repair, but
young people aren't really interested..you can't use a computer to find
things out. All someone needs is higher math skills to learn this
trade. People come out to my ranch and wonder how I afforded it. Would
you ask a doctor or lawyer the same thing? Everything here is because I
fix clocks and watches."

I had a fascinating conversation with John about
horology (the science of time-keeping) being the oldest exact science
in the world. Horologists from the 1700's and 1800's also made
intricate music boxes, of which John has a whole collection. He told me
that almost all mechanical industries grew from the clock-making
industry, which focused on tempering metals so they could have a
spring, and gear reductions so energy could be transferred.

Fine Timed Collectables has been advertising with the
Shopper "for about 15 years," says John. "I'd like people to know that
we do free estimates, online appraisals, and I love having a good
conversation with people. Our service is prompt and we guarantee our
work. We don't charge customers until they're satisfied!"

Don't take a chance with your fine clock or watch...call
Fine Timed Collectables at 541-347-2234 and get the service and
satisfaction (and maybe an interesting conversation) that you want!